On the second day of this series, I wrote about a simple system I use to organize my personal goals.

And today, on the third and final day of the series, I will actually show you my own personal goals for 2014. This is something I’ve never done before, and it might generate some criticism because it could be seen as self-focused. However, that is not my motive.

My only purpose for sharing my goals is to help you see a real-life example of how you could accomplish the same thing. You’ll be able to see how I intertwine business and personal goals. You’ll read some of the areas where I need personal development and improvement, as well as some of my shortcomings and failures.

All I ask is that you try not to focus on the specifics of what I’ve written and compare them to your own values and ambitions. Instead, simply use the list as an overview example that you can use to guide you along the path as you assemble your own set of personal goals.

Just so you know, I would estimate that it has taken me about 7-8 hours in total to contemplate, brainstorm, write, and organize my goals for the new year. That’s not much time really — just one single day at work — to create a vision and direction for my entire year.

I may not actually reach all of these goals, but when I consider the fact that by accomplishing just a majority of them, I will be healthier, better connected to my family, and more financially secure, the return on my small investment of time is astronomical!

Seriously de-clutter all of my old memorabilia, even if it means giving it away.

Call one extended family member each week.

Read the Ethel Cotton homeschool conversation course.

Fit into jeans with a 34-inch waist.

Get rid of all the clothes in my closet that I haven’t worn in 18 months.

Create a long-term income opportunity for both girls.

Begin to write a book. Finish four chapters.

Walk 10,000 steps a day, six days a week.

Keep driving the Ford Focus.

Write down my daily cash expenditures regularly.

Buy three monster boxes of Silver Eagles.

Go to church at least 3 times a month.

Clean out the garage so it looks like it should.

Do one thing that seems totally impossible and unattainable.

So there you have it. At this time, you should be able to use my three blog posts to help you get started yourself. As you begin, may I respectfully add that setting goals reminds you to work harder on yourself than you do on your job.

My name is Mike Stevens, and I am a printer.

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Dave Hultin

I went back and read this post tonight, and I now see that goal #10 (My weight goal is 189 pounds) appears to be at the top of the hit-list, as evidenced by your recent “10 pounds in 10 days” blog posts. Best of success to you!

Mike Geygan

Hi Mike
Thank you for sharing the emails on goals and your actual version for this year. It is something I know I should do, but rarely have done. It took guts to put them out like you did. I sincerely appreciate your contributions to the industry over many years.

Best wishes for a great 2014!

Thank You!
Mike Geygan

Mike Stevens

Keep going, Mike, I wish you success as you go forward!

Aaron Simmons

Hi Mike,

Kudos on publishing your goals list, that’s pretty brave.

I have a tip to help you with #27: trunkclub.com

I’ve been hearing great things about them, and love the concept. Haven’t tried it myself, because it’s a little more expensive than I am interested in. But it may help you get an early win on your goals list with little effort on your own part.

Cheers,

Mike Stevens

Thank you, Aaron, I’ll check it out!

Bill Cole

Dear Mike:

You are amazing. I have taken your advice already and created a spreadsheet with several columns – the goal, life category (spiritual, physical, etc.) and done. I am at 31 out of 50 already.

I have a good book recommendation for you – “The Harbinger” by Rabbi Jonathan Cahn. It will amaze you.

God bless.

With great respect,

Bill Cole
Tri-C

Mike Stevens

Interesting. I read a book last year by Rabbi Daniel lapin, called “Thou Shall Prosper.” It was excellent, so you recommendation appeal;s to me… thank you for the toughtful response.

Sharon Patel

Reading this series inspired my husband and I to block out time last weekend to discuss and write our goals and intentions for 2014. Reading your list was so helpful to jumpstart our process…..thank you for sharing it. It led to an in-depth discussion and a written list that will provide a roadmap for us for 2014. I can pinpoint many ideas that I’ve gotten from you over the years that have had a positive impact on my business as well as personally. So appreciative of your generosity of spirit and creative ideas.

Mike Stevens

Hi Sharon, wow, what a nice surprise to hear from you! Your kind words meant a lot to me -mike

http://www.AdvantagePrintGroup.com David Moore

Mike,
Awesome, awesome post. The the transparency is moving. Thanks so much for doing this and opening up. Gave me (and motivated me) to lots of new ideas. I’ve gone the “no resolutions / goals” route a few years. Realizing now it doesn’t likely work like I hoped. It’s more of a “head-in-the-sand” approach than anything else. I need 2014 goals.

Mike Stevens

Yeah, transparency is a good thing… in this case, it holds me accountable too! I hope posting my goals will help you reach yours!

Mike Stevens

A thoughtful question.
No, I don’t work on everything at once. Early in the year, I always start out with some of the “easy” goals, just so I can’t get a few wins early in the process. I find that encouraging. After that, I actually do map out a little calendar grid thingy I use to provide a rough outline of which goals I’m going to try to work on month-by-month throughout the year. It’s sort of messy, but it helps a lot. I also have found it helpful to re-read the entire list of all 50 goals every Saturday, just to keep me focused and aware of what I should be working on as the year progresses.

http://marketingideasforprinters.com Aaron

Thanks Mike, this is a good series.

Just curious about implementation: surely you don’t attempt to tackle all of these simultaneously throughout the year? When you decide which goals to tackle and when, do you further break this down into the goals you want to accomplish or make progress on for the month? For the week? Or some other method?